IZZI TEST 2

READING COMPREHENSION

IZZI TEST 2 READING COMPREHENSION 1

IZZI TEST 2 READING COMPREHENSION

1 a) Read this article about a holiday destination. For each paragraph (1–5), choose the heading
(A–H) that best describes the topic. There are three letters you do not need.

Land of Sea, Sun and Snacks

(1) ____
Where do most Brits spend their holiday money? Somewhere sunnier and hotter than the UK, of
course! Did you know that Spain is their most popular destination, and that 4.2 million UK residents
visited the country in 2021? This number was significantly lower than usual, due to the coronavirus
pandemic, especially in comparison with 2019, when a whopping 18 million British visitors flocked to
Spain. If you want to take Spain off your bucket list and avoid the crowds, keep reading for plenty of
inspiration.

(2) ____
At the top of our Spanish list is Andalusia, as a destination rich in culture and tradition, a land of
flavours and dances. It is the southernmost region of Spain, which also makes it the farthest from
Britain. You can easily find flights to Malaga or Seville, two of the region’s best-known cities, or
alternatively take a train from Paris to Seville. Once you get there, you can travel between cities by
bus. Public transport is an option, certainly a cheap one, as are the fast trains between the big cities.
We, however, would opt for renting a car: it is more convenient, and the prices are a bargain compared
to prices in the UK.

(3) ____
Summer months are the hottest, so if you dread the idea of having to travel anywhere during this
period, we suggest avoiding Andalusia during the high season. Temperatures often exceed 40°C, and
you don’t want to constantly dab sweat off your upper lip. You can take a refreshing dip in the Atlantic
Ocean from May to June or September to October instead, as spring and autumn are very mild. To
do so, we suggest visiting Costa de la Luz, translating as ‘Coast of Light’. This part of Andalusia
boasts unspoiled landscapes, breathtaking views, and stretches of golden sandy coastline perfect for
kitesurfing or simply lying back and soaking up the sunshine.

(4) ____
Andalusia is a must for food lovers. It’s the region where the Spanish tapas, or small portions of food,
come from. There are many legends regarding the birth of the ‘tapa’, but the silliest one is about King
Alphonso X, who had to drink wine to recover from an illness. To prevent him from getting drunk, the
doctor gave him little portions of food with it. The king’s order followed: ‘Every inn shall serve small
bites of food with every glass of wine. If I can’t get drunk, no one else can!’ There are still some places
in Andalusia where they serve free tapas with each drink you buy. And even if you have to pay for those
delicious little bites, the price usually doesn’t get higher than 2 euros.

(5) ____
Because of its rich history, the region could easily be recognised as the cultural jewel of Spain. Many
civilisations have left their mark on Andalusia throughout the centuries, so don’t be surprised at
just how diverse the region is. You will see the influence of various cultures everywhere you go: from
the awe-inspiring architectural wonders built by Romans, Arabs, Jews and Christians, through the
gastronomic specialities, all the way to the sounds of flamenco music. But, most importantly, you will
meet the friendliest and most welcoming people, descended from all these cultures, who will make
your stay authentic and unforgettable.

___ / 5

2 IZZI TEST 2 READING COMPREHENSION

 A Activities and sightseeing
B Land of fusion and rich legacy
C Wine-drinking culture
D At the top of the list
E The origin of traditional food
F Best time to visit
G Comparing prices
H Getting there and getting around

___ / 5

1 b) Read the text again. For each question (1–6), choose the correct answer: A, B or C.

1 The blogger mentions the year 2021 as

A an average year.
B an impressive year.
C an atypical year.

2 According to the article, the best option for travelling across Andalusia is
A by bus.
B by car.
C by train.

3 Rental cars in Andalusia are

A as expensive as in the UK.
B not as expensive as in the UK.
C as cheap as in the UK.

4 Summer temperatures in Andalusia usually

A stay below 40°C.
B rise as high as 40°C.
C rise above 40°C.

5 According to one theory, Spanish snacks and small dishes were a direct result of
A a king’s spite.
B a king’s concern.
C a doctor’s prescription.

6 According to the article, what makes the trip to Andalusia most genuine and memorable is
A the cultural heritage.
B the inhabitants.
C the cuisine.

___ / 6

IZZI TEST 2 READING COMPREHENSION 3

2 a) R
 ead this article about urban legends. For each gap (1–6), choose the answer (A–H) that best
completes the sentence. There are two letters that you do not need.

If you have ever been told an urban legend, it might have started with these words: “I’ve heard the
strangest thing...”. And it immediately got your attention, because (1) ____. Whether they are about
bogeymen, alien abduction or disappearing women in black, urban legends have always intrigued
people and found their way to passionate listeners. Although their name would suggest otherwise,
urban or contemporary legends are far from being a modern phenomenon: as a form of circulating
folklore, they have been passed down through generations for thousands of years, (2) ____. It is,
therefore, not surprising that they have long been used as inspiration for stories, novels and films.

The term ‘urban legend’ started to appear in folklore studies in the 1950s to refer to the genre of a
story widely shared by word of mouth. Jan Harold Brunvand, a US writer, folklorist and professor of
English, popularised it in 1981 when his collection of urban legends called The Vanishing Hitchhiker:
American Urban Legends and Their Meanings was published. The book made this type of storytelling
extremely popular. The title itself introduced one of the most widespread urban legends: that of a
mysterious hitchhiker who eventually disappears or (3) ____. Similar plots are common in various
cultures around the world, with some minor differences. For example, in the Croatian version of
the story, a beautiful girl with long, dark hair hitchhikes at night on a road to the Učka tunnel.
Drivers pull over to pick her up, but when the car reaches the end of the tunnel, (4) ____. The story
sparked great public interest in the late 1980s, and there are records showing that even the police
looked into it, but it was all in vain: the dark lady was never found.

There is another intriguing mystery which stirs up curiosity among the inhabitants of Pula. It centres
on the Naval Cemetery of Pula and the mysterious grave of a woman named Matilda Barry, (5) ____.
The legend says that her ghost can be seen during her late-night walks through the cemetery,
especially on the nights of 13 January. Also, somebody frequently visits her grave to leave flowers
and light a candle, which is odd, given that she has no living relatives and that cemetery workers
claim they have never witnessed anybody come near. Nobody can tell for sure how Matilda Barry
became the main figure of this Istrian urban legend, used mostly to scare children and keep them
off the streets at night. It is possible the story appeared in the 1970s, when a new neighbourhood
was built near the cemetery, (6) ____. Nevertheless, 50 years later, it still tickles the imagination
of the locals. This proves that urban legends have always been a popular source of entertainment;
and, as such, they will continue to be retold during sleepovers and around campfires worldwide.

A by the side of the road wearing a white dress

B which turned it into a rather bizarre playground for children

C causing reactions such as shock and horror

D at one of the largest military cemeteries in Europe

E people just love to hear a good horror story

F an Irish noblewoman who died more than 150 years ago

G they notice that she has disappeared from the car

H turns out to be an apparition of a dead person

2
___ / 6

4 IZZI TEST 2 READING COMPREHENSION

2 b) Read the text again. For each question (1–8), choose the correct answer: T (True) or F (False).

1 Urban or contemporary legends have existed for a short period of time. T F

2 Many urban legends have been adapted into works of fiction. T F

3 Urban legends are shared by written interaction. T F

4 The term ‘urban legend’ became popular after a book was written on the subject. T F

5 Urban legends occur worldwide, featuring exactly the same plots. T F

6 The investigation into the case of a missing hitchhiker was without success. T F

7 Cemetery workers often see visitors coming to Matilda’s grave. T F

8 The origin of the Matilda Barry legend is known without doubt. T F

___ / 8

IZZI TEST 2 READING COMPREHENSION 5